In the radio program 'Coffee with the President', aired on Monday, April 30, President Rousseff highlighted investments by Federal Government in partnership with States and Municipalities to improve public transport in large Brazilian cities. R$ 32.4 billion will be invested in subways, light rail vehicles, monorail and exclusive bus lanes. According to the President, this historic investment is the first step in addressing the problem of time taken by people to move around large cities.

"It is a historic investment, because for the first time the Federal Government will invest heavily in rapid, safe and modern public transport in Brazilian cities. There will be a total of R$ 32.7 billion invested in construction and expansion of subways and the implementation of light rail vehicles, so-called LRVs. We will also construct exclusive lanes, bus stations and integration terminals. The Federal Government will provide more than R$ 22 billion, and States and Municipalities will also make their contribution, with over R$ 10 billion. This is a first step, a first major initiative for us to address the problem of the number of hours that people spend on transport to get to work, to go home or go to school", said the President.

The President added that 53 million Brazilians will benefit from the new construction works. Reducing time people spend in transit means improving quality of life, said President Rousseff. "The projects we have selected will benefit 53 million Brazilian men and women in large Brazilian cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and also in those Municipalities that are part of the Metropolitan regions in these State capitals, which have the most serious problems with traffic and urban mobility in Brazil. Many people in these cities can spend up to four hours a day on the bus or train. Reducing travel times means allowing these people to take advantage of the hours that are not spent on transport to study, rest, or be with their family. And that is what is known as quality of life", she emphasized. President Rousseff said that most of the investment will be made in subways and LRVs, since these do not obstruct streets and avenues, they carry a greater number of passengers, and are less polluting.

 

Source:

Blog do Planalto